The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over a growing health crisis: 1.4 billion people worldwide live with uncontrolled hypertension. According to its latest report, only 20% manage the condition effectively through medication or lifestyle changes.
Hypertension’s Deadly Impact
Dr. Alarcos Cieza, who leads WHO’s Noncommunicable Diseases unit, described hypertension as a “global emergency.” She stressed that more than 1 billion people remain untreated, exposing them to life-threatening risks such as:
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Heart attacks
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Strokes
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Kidney disease
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Dementia
WHO estimates that in 2025 alone, high blood pressure contributed to 11 million deaths, representing 16% of all global fatalities. In Africa, hypertension is responsible for 8% of deaths.
Economic Burden on Poorer Nations
The financial toll is staggering. From 2011 to 2025, uncontrolled hypertension and related cardiovascular issues are projected to cost low-income countries around $3.7 trillion—about 2% of their GDP.
In Africa, access to essential medicines remains a challenge. Only 30% of countries have core treatments available, and even when accessible, they are often unaffordable for ordinary citizens.
Barriers to Effective Care
Dr. Cieza identified several obstacles worsening the crisis:
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Limited public awareness of hypertension risks
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Shortage of trained health professionals
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Lack of standardized treatment guidelines
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Weak political will to drive nationwide prevention programs
“The biggest barrier is political inaction,” she noted, urging leaders to take stronger steps to reduce preventable deaths.
Urgent Call for Global Action
The WHO has called on governments to prioritize hypertension control by:
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Expanding access to affordable medicines
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Increasing early detection and routine screening
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Launching awareness campaigns in high-risk regions
Without decisive intervention, experts warn the toll of uncontrolled high blood pressure will continue to rise, threatening millions of lives across the globe.
